Workshop Findings

Existing collaboration was discussed with numerous positive examples given from across the room.

Collaboration is happening between local charities, national charities, NHS departments, local authorities, NHS Ops and mental health teams, prison service, social work teams, primary care networks, voluntary services, housing associations, drop-ins, police service, ambulance service, operational bases and regimental associations.

Specific collaboration was mentioned:

• Fighting with Pride working with Age UK to advice on benefits available to over 50s

• Walking with the Wounded working with the NHS

• Norwich City Council bringing services together to support homeless veterans

• Veterans Central collaborated with Walking with the Wounded and RBL Fakenham - sponsoring a room to save costs

Numerous Goals were defined:

• Providing support to veterans and their families
• Improving access to support
• Raising awareness of support
• Improving communication
• Supporting families
• Reducing stigma around mental health and wellbeing
• Reduce social isolation by signposting support
• Save resources
• Create a simplified referral route for patients as veterans
• To give veterans a sense of involvement and companionship
• Sharing knowledge, information and experiences

What makes effective collaboration?

• Trust between organisations
• Shared goals, particularly for the outcome of the veteran
• A good team
• Holistic support
• Consistency in support
• Good communication
• A broader skillset is brought together
• Builds a network of known contacts
• Developing relationships
• Wider awareness of what support services are available
• Regular updates on projects
• Suspending individual agendas

What resources were saved or enhanced?

• Time
• Resources
• Prevention of escalation to other services and hospital admissions
• Enhanced funding from proven results
• Wider reach to family members
• Tailored support, avoiding duplication
• Potentially saving lives
• Expertise from the wider group
• Knowledge
• Better outcomes for veterans

Several common barriers were identified:

• Funding competition between charities
• Heavy caseloads and limited time
• GDPR and data sharing fears
• Lack of awareness of who's doing what
• Fragmented systems
• No central referral point
• Attitudes, personalities and egos
• Protectionism
• Red Tape
• Geography
• Poor communication

Common themes included:

• Shared directory of services
• Shared directory of contacts
• Regular networking events
• Easy ways to find out who is doing what
• Regular communication
• Building trust
• Sharing case studies and lived experiences
• Willingness to engage
• Funding that drives collaboration
• Shared aims and objectives
• Training packages available

Several broad themes came out of the discussions:

• Shared information
• Networking events
• Improved awareness - who does what
• Communication
• Removing barriers

Some common themes came out of the discussions:

• Coordinate communication
• Neutral connector or organisations and people
• Provide centralised information
• Drive change
• Raise awareness
• Bring people together, networking

Most attendees supported the idea of the system, especially if it is managed well and provides real value. The most frequently mentioned benefits included:

• Access to a directory of contacts
• Better communication across services
• Learning opportunities
• Shared resources such as factsheets and training materials.

Some valid concerns were also mentioned:

• Ownership of the system and the information

• Ensuring no harmful or inaccurate information is posted

• Sustainability without funding for the system

Participants identified several essential features, many of which overlap with responses to other questions. The most valued functions included:

• A directory of professionals and organisations
• An effective search function (with postcode filters and category options)
• Pushed information such as event invites and updates
• Access to case studies, research findings, and training materials
• Contact details, referral pathways, and event listings

Respondents warned against unnecessary complexity and emphasised the importance of moderation, information governance, and ease of navigation.

Most participants said they would use the system regularly if it provided:

• Timely, filtered updates
• Relevant content for their region or role
• The ability to connect with others and share information

Ease of access, regular prompts, and relevance were seen as key to keeping engagement high.

Opinions were mixed on the idea of merging with an NHS-run system:

• Some supported it as a practical step: “Why wouldn’t we combine the systems? Collaboration is key.”
• Others were concerned about NHS systems being:
  • Overly complex or poorly designed
  • Restrictive in terms of access or permissions
  • Difficult to exit or modify in future

 A common alternative view was to link the two systems rather than fully merge them, maintaining flexibility and independence while reducing duplication.